Group of skiers were warned but they ignored; says CEO GDA

Srinagar, Feb 16 (KNS): A foreign skier died on Friday while four others were rescued after an avalanche struck the world famous ski-resort, Gulmarg in north Kashmir's Baramulla district, officials said.
Officials said that a Russian skier identified as Stain Slive, 30 died while four others accompanying him were rescued after he came under an avalanche in Sheenmaan Bal Hapat Khud area near mount Afarwat in Gulmarg.
The divisional administration on Thursday had issued avalanche warning, directing the Deputy Commissioner’s (DC) to advise people not to venture out in avalanche prone areas.
As per a communication of Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, there is a danger of avalanches from February 15 to February 16 in avalanche prone areas of Bandipora, Baramulla, Anantnag, Kulgam, Budgam, Kupwara, Ganderbal, Leh and Kargil districts of Kashmir Division.
After the Russian skier came under an avalanche, police reached the spot and rescued the group of skiers.
“One Russian skier has come under avalanche in Gulmarg and died on spot. 04 more skiers of the group rescued,” Jammu and Kashmir Police tweeted.
Meanwhile, soon after the incident, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Gulmarg Development Authority (GDA) Muhammad Haneef Balki addressed media persons and claimed that the Russian skiers didn’t pay heed over the warning. “We warned them before they went up but they ignored and went up,” he said.
He said that a group of over six skiers went ahead despite the warning and came under an avalanche at Hapat Khud. (KNS)